Populus forest characterization in Elk Island National Park relative to herbivory, prescribed fire, and topography

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 1518-1526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward W. Bork ◽  
Robert J. Hudson ◽  
Arthur W. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
National Park ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Ungulate Herbivory ◽  
Elk Island National Park ◽  
The Impact

Wild ungulate herbivory and prescribed fire can modify the vegetational characteristics of Populus forest plant communities and alter their potential to meet conservation objectives. Effective management of these areas depends on understanding the impact of these disturbances across natural landscapes. Our objective was to quantify various overstory and understory plant community characteristics in the Populus forests in and around Elk Island National Park, Alberta, under different disturbance regimes. Vegetation from 36 sites, stratified by four topographic positions and three historical treatment combinations of fire and native ungulate herbivory, were sampled. In these sites, we quantified tree density, basal area and cover, understory species richness and diversity, shrub density and height, as well as grass, forb, and browse annual net primary production (ANPP). Although tree canopy characteristics were similar under all three disturbances, small-diameter trees (< 5 cm) were nearly absent within the Park. The reference area outside the Park had greater browse-leaf and -twig ANPP, as well as shrub height, but lower grass ANPP. Inside the Park, burned areas had greater shrub density and ANPP of grass and forb components. Topographically, tree stand basal area, cover, and shrub height were greatest on the northern slope, as was browse-leaf ANPP. Species diversity and richness were relatively greater on the toe slope. Within the plant community variables examined, the disturbances and positions frequently interacted, particularly the burned treatment with the crest position and level of herbivory with the south-facing and north-facing slopes. The structure, composition, and ANPP of Populus forest in Elk Island National Park has been significantly affected by both ungulate herbivory and prescribed burning. These factors, along with topography, influence the vegetation and are consequently important for management of the park's habitat and ungulate populations. Key words: ANPP, national park, prescribed fire, structure, topography, ungulate herbivory.

scholarly journals Altitudinally coordinated pattern of plant community structure in the Shivapuri National Park, Nepal

1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalik Ram Sigdel
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
National Park ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Flower Colour ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Plant Community Structure ◽  
Closed Canopy

Study on plant community structure was undertaken in different altitudinal ranges of Shivapuri National Park. The general objective of this study is to analyse different plant community structure in Shivapuri National Park with regards to altitudinal variation. The forest was divided into three distinct altitudinal ranges on the basis of dominancy. In each altitudinal range standard quadrats method was applied for vegetation analysis. The highest number of species was found in site II. All the ecological parameters of the plant species were higher in site II except Basal Area of tree that was highest in site III. The pattern of distribution of plant species was not uniform according to altitude. At higher elevation, the forest was mature with almost closed canopy and trees were large; so the tree density was low. Species richness was highest in site II. Species diversity among tree and shrub species was higher in site I. But for herb species diversity was higher in site II for both seasons. Such type of variations may be due to nature of soil i.e. acidity, nutrient availability and other micro-climatic factors. The most noteworthy thing was that variation in flower colour of Rhododendron arboreum i.e. deep scarlet at low altitude, but it gradually changed into pinkish white as altitude increased. Key words: Altitude, Density, Plant community, Species diversity doi: 10.3126/banko.v18i1.2161 Banko Janakari, Vol. 18, No. 1, 11-17

The Ecological Role of Fire in Sierran Conifer Forests: Its Application to National Park Management

1973 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 496-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce M. Kilgore
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Service Management ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Fire Frequency ◽  
Conifer Forests ◽  
Natural Fire ◽  
Fire Hazards ◽  
Giant Sequoia ◽  
Park Service ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe impact of fire on the environment of the various Sierran conifer forests varies with intensity and frequency. Generally, however, fire (1) prepares a seedbed; (2) cycles nutrients within the system; (3) adjusts the successional pattern; (4) modifies conditions affecting wildlife; (5) influences the mosaic of age classes and vegetation types; (6) alters the numbers of trees susceptible to disease and insects; and (7) both reduces and creates fire hazards. Natural fire frequency apparently coincides with levels of fuel accumulation that result in burns of relatively low intensity at frequent intervals. This may average 8 yr in mixed conifer forests, although frequencies from 4 to 20 yr or more are found in particular sites.In all probability, giant sequoia and various pines of the Sierra survive today because of the role fire plays in the various forest types. National Park Service management policies are aimed at restoring fire, as nearly as possible, to its natural role in Sierran conifer forests. This is being accomplished by prescribed burning at lower and middle elevation types and by allowing lightning fires to burn in higher elevation forests.

Bird diversity increases after patchy prescribed fire: implications from a before–after control–impact study

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Sitters ◽  
Julian Di Stefano ◽  
Fiona J. Christie ◽  
Paul Sunnucks ◽  
Alan York
Keyword(s):  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Impact Experiment ◽  
Impact Area ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Topographic Variation

Increasingly, patchy prescribed fire of low severity is used by land managers to mitigate wildfire risk, but there are relatively few experimental studies on the effects of low-severity fire on fauna. We used a before–after control–impact experiment to examine avian responses to prescribed fire at two scales in topographically variable, tall-open eucalypt forest in south-east Australia. We surveyed birds at control and impact areas twice before and twice after fire, and applied mixed models to investigate responses of avian turnover, richness and the occurrence of selected species. Approximately half of the impact area was burnt and topographic variation generated a finger-like configuration of burnt patches on ridges and unburnt patches in gullies. Our findings at the smaller scale (0.8 ha) indicated that the fire resulted in increased bird diversity because a patchwork of burnt and unburnt areas provided a mosaic of distinct successional states in which different species occurred. Additionally, we found that the effect of fire on species richness and occurrence was a function of the presence of unburnt topographic refuges. In contrast, we found no compelling evidence to suggest that birds responded to the fire at the larger scale (400 ha). We conclude that application of low-severity fire in a patchy manner enhanced avian diversity and facilitated the persistence of the birds detected in pre-fire surveys. Although the levels of patchiness required to sustain diverse taxa warrant further study, our findings highlight the importance of formally incorporating patchiness into prescribed burning for the ecologically sensitive management of contemporary landscapes.

scholarly journals Green-Tailed Towhee Response to Prescribed Fire in Montane Shrubland

The Condor ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 634-646
Author(s):  
Gretchen Jehle ◽  
Julie A. Savidge ◽  
Natasha B. Kotliar
Keyword(s):  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
National Park ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Rocky Mountain National Park ◽  
Shrub Cover ◽  
Daily Nest Survival

Abstract Fire alters the structure and composition of shrublands and affects habitat quality for the associated avifauna. Because shrubland ecosystems have been greatly reduced from their original extent in western North America and fire is increasingly being used to manage these landscapes, a better understanding of how fire affects the associated vegetation and wildlife is imperative. We evaluated the response of Green-tailed Towhees (Pipilo chlorurus) to prescribed fire in the montane shrublands of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado during 2002 and 2003. Three to five years following prescribed burning, Green-tailed Towhee density and shrub cover were generally higher in unburned areas. Nests (n  =  179) were located in unburned vegetation; within burned sites, all nests were in remnant patches. Green-tailed Towhee nest survival was 57% (95% CI  =  49%–65%) across the two years of the study. More than half of the nests were in common juniper (Juniperus communis) shrubs, and nest survival was higher for nests in junipers than those in other shrub species. Daily nest survival rates were lower at the site with the highest density of towhees and declined over the breeding season. With regard to shrub cover, opposite trends were observed for nest-site selection and nest survival: nest plots had greater shrub cover than non-nest plots, but nest survival decreased with increasing shrub cover. Because shrub cover affects towhee density and nest survival in conflicting ways, fire management at Rocky Mountain National Park alters both habitat availability and suitability for Green-tailed Towhees.

Landscape- and site-level responses of woody structure and ground flora to repeated prescribed fire in the Missouri Ozarks

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1004-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin J. Maginel ◽  
Benjamin O. Knapp ◽  
John M. Kabrick ◽  
Rose-Marie Muzika
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Ground Flora ◽  
In Fire ◽  
Community Restoration ◽  
Site Types

Landscape-scale prescribed burning may be appealing for natural community restoration due to operational efficiency and possible heterogeneity in fire effects across broad spatial scales. We monitored plant community responses for >15 years with variable prescribed fire frequencies applied across a Missouri Ozarks landscape stratified into distinct ecological site types. Through the study period, burning had no effect on the overstory tree density or basal area. Midstory stem densities decreased rapidly in periodically burned units and more gradually with annual fire. Burning increased total ground flora cover and the cover of forbs, grasses, and legumes. The effect of burning on species richness differed among site types, with increased species richness through time on exposed slopes. There was no effect of prescribed burning on species richness on two of three protected slope site types, and annual burning decreased species richness in upland waterways. Among the site types, the upland waterways had the most species associated with pre-burn communities. We conclude that (i) burning consistently increased cover of ground layer vegetation across the landscape, while decreasing the midstory stem densities, and (ii) site type moderated ground flora richness response, with more pronounced effects of prescribed burning on exposed sites than on protected sites.

scholarly journals Vegetation Dynamics in Treeline Ecotone of Langtang National Park, Central Nepal

1970 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
NP Gaire ◽  
YR Dhakal ◽  
HC Lekhak ◽  
DR Bhuju ◽  
SK Shah
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Climatic Warming ◽  
Seedling Density ◽  
Treeline Ecotone ◽  
Central Nepal ◽  
Abies Spectabilis ◽  
The Impact

A study was carried out at the treeline ecotone (3,730m-3,950m asl) of Langtang National Park in central Nepal with an aim to document the impact of climatic warming on ecological chracteristics. Three sampling sites were selected at Chaurikharka and Lauribina, where no serious anthropogenic pressure was noticed. The nearest meteorological station has records of climatic warming in recent years. Six tree species and three shrub species belonging to seven families were enumerated from the study plots. The average basal area for tree species was found to be 20.56 m2 per ha while average tree density was found to be 734 trees per ha with Abies spectabilis as dominant species. The mean DBH (diameter at breast height) of tree species was found to be 15.8 cm (max. 115.5cm). Density of dead trees accounted 2 no. per ha with basal area 0.195m2 per ha. Average sapling and seedling density of tree species per ha was observed to be 1,590 and 831 respectively. The average sapling and seedling density of A. spectabilis was 255 and 350 per ha respectively. Similarly, average shrub density (per ha) for the area was found to be 9,609 no/ha. The stand character showed that there was high level of recruitment of A. spectabilis in the recent years. The presence of sapling and seedling of A. spectabilis at higher altitude showing linear relationship with canopy coverage indicated prospects for a gradual and upward shift of A. spectabilis with increased temperature. Key words: Abies spectabilis; regeneration; climate change; DBH DOI: 10.3126/njst.v11i0.4132Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 11 (2010) 107-114

Short-term response of the long-nosed bandicoot, Perameles nasuta, and the southern brown bandicoot, Isoodon obesulus obesulus, to low-intensity prescribed fire in heathland vegetation

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Hope
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Hazard Reduction ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
The Impact

Context Prescribed burning is routinely performed within the Sydney Basin as a method of fire-hazard mitigation. Despite the widespread use of prescribed fire, knowledge of the impact of prescribed fire on most fauna species remains unclear. This is particularly the case for bandicoot species. Aims To determine the impact of a low-intensity prescribed fire on the survival of the long-nosed bandicoot, Perameles nasuta, and the southern brown bandicoot, Isoodon obesulus obesulus (hereafter abbreviated to I. obesulus), immediately after the fire and at 5 weeks, 5 months and 13 months following the fire. To document the spatial ecology and nesting requirements of I. obesulus and P. nasuta before and after fire. Methods One I. obesulus and seven P. nasuta (five female and two male) individuals were radio-tracked. Animals were tracked before, during and following a hazard-reduction burn to assess the impact of fire on home range, survival and nesting behaviour. Key results Post-fire survival of P. nasuta and I. obesulus was high and the population remained stable up to 5 months following the fire. All animals tracked within the burn area (three female P. nasuta) survived the passage of fire. The home range for one male I. obesulus was found to be 2.35 ha 50% kernel-density estimate (KDE) and 12.35 ha 95% KDE. Female P. nasuta (n = 5) had a home range of 1.3 ha ± 0.2 s.e. 50% KDE and 7.5 ha ± 1.7 s.e. 95% KDE. Male P. nasuta (n = 1) had a home range of 1.1 ha 50% KDE and 6.5ha 95% KDE. Nesting for both species tended to occur in dense vegetation, with a slight shift to non-combustible refuge sites post-fire. Animals tended to maintain exclusive and relatively stable core home ranges, although overlap of non-core home ranges was common. Conclusions The survival of bandicoots following a low-intensity hazard-reduction fire was high in the short term; however, further research is required to determine how the components of a fire regime affect native species, in particular peramelids. Implications Hazard-reduction fires should be used with caution to manage the isolated and endangered northern Sydney population of I. obesulus, so as to ensure the persistence of this species.

scholarly journals Effect of fuel treatments and backfiring on the recovery of an obligate seeder-dominated heathland

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. eSC12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Fernández Filgueira ◽  
José A. Vega Hidalgo
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Shrub Cover ◽  
Fuel Reduction ◽  
Fuel Treatments ◽  
Nw Spain ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Experimental Plots

Aim of study: To evaluate how a plant community responded to a backfire that occurred four years after application of different types of fuel-reduction treatments.Area of study: Erica umbellata Loefl. (L.)-dominated heathland in Galicia (NW Spain).Materials and Methods: Shrub cover surveys in 16 experimental plots from 2006 to 2014. Fuel reduction treatments (prescribed burning, clearing and mastication) were applied in the spring of 2006 and the area was burned by a wildfire in the summer of 2010.Main results: Shrub total cover recovered quickly after the backfire in both the treated and untreated areas, and the pre-treatment values were reached four years after the fire. Post-wildfire resprouting species cover recovery was not affected by fuel treatments. As a contrast,  Erica umbellata cover reached levels similar to those in the untreated plots only in the areas treated by prescribed burning. After the wildfire, grasses cover recovery was greater in the treated than in the untreated areas and the effect lasted until the end of the study.Research highlights: Prescribed fire and backfire was favourable for Erica umbellata regeneration compared to clearing and mastication.Keywords: prescribed burning; clearing; mechanical shredding; Erica; wildfire. 

scholarly journals From the Ground Up: Prairies on Reclaimed Mine Land—Impacts on Soil and Vegetation

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 455
Author(s):  
Rebecca M. Swab ◽  
Nicola Lorenz ◽  
Nathan R. Lee ◽  
Steven W. Culman ◽  
Richard P. Dick
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Prairie Restoration ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Prairie Restorations ◽  
Mine Lands ◽  
The Impact

After strip mining, soils typically suffer from compaction, low nutrient availability, loss of soil organic carbon, and a compromised soil microbial community. Prairie restorations can improve ecosystem services on former agricultural lands, but prairie restorations on mine lands are relatively under-studied. This study investigated the impact of prairie restoration on mine lands, focusing on the plant community and soil properties. In southeast Ohio, 305 ha within a ~2000 ha area of former mine land was converted to native prairie through herbicide and planting between 1999–2016. Soil and vegetation sampling occurred from 2016–2018. Plant community composition shifted with prairie age, with highest native cover in the oldest prairie areas. Prairie plants were more abundant in older prairies. The oldest prairies had significantly more soil fungal biomass and higher soil microbial biomass. However, many soil properties (e.g., soil nutrients, β-glucosoidase activity, and soil organic carbon), as well as plant species diversity and richness trended higher in prairies, but were not significantly different from baseline cool-season grasslands. Overall, restoration with prairie plant communities slowly shifted soil properties, but mining disturbance was still the most significant driver in controlling soil properties. Prairie restoration on reclaimed mine land was effective in establishing a native plant community, with the associated ecosystem benefits.

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